stART Hope: The 1st For-a-Cause Art Exhibit by Philippine Homeschoolers

Last December 03, 2016, we were invited to join the Media Launch of stArt Hope at The Crafter's Marketplace, Ground Floor, Rustan's EDSA Shangri-La, Mandaluyong.

stART Hope is the first ever benefit art exhibit curated purely by homeschooled students in the Philippines. About fifty homeschooling students grades 4 to 8 have united their efforts in the pursuit for hope, peace, and change for the sake of the next generation.

This for-a-cause event is one of the collaborated projects of the class’ SY 2016-2017 students through the direction and inspiration of their teachers, which are both co-owners of the education-travel blog, School in a Backpack.

Homeschool @ Alabang and Homeschool @ Valle Verde are the expanded communities of the original Homeschool @ The Fort, an organized community of homeschoolers that provide fun and engaging classes for homeschoolers. It is the place to go to if you want to join a playgroup, co-op, or a homeschooling support group. 

Comm & Collab teachers and co-owners of School in a Backpack Blog, Owie and Jana

For three years now, it held its Communication and Collaboration class (formerly called Projects and Presentations) with a thrust of supplementing the learning experiences of homeschooling independent learners by giving them an avenue to work in different group/class settings.

The homeschoolers, in coordination with Wishes of Aid and Limbs for Kids (WALK), Inc., a non-stock, non-profit organization, and one of the projects of Rotary Club of Makati Forbes Park District 3830, aims to spark hope for our exhibit's main beneficiary, Nice So, along with the children of WALK Inc.

Nice So

Nice So, a lupus patient who discovered her innate artistic talent while in the hospital just about the same time she was informed about her medical condition, has been painting and selling her artworks since she was in grade school to pay for her medical necessities as well as help other kids with lupus and other incurable diseases.

Waby Liberia, Ginger de Guia and Nino Henandez

Contemporary artist Niño Hernandez, and professional calligraphist Ginger de Guia, both art teachers in the homeschool community, supported the student project and its cause by collaborating their artworks for the exhibit.

Homeschooled until her senior high year, and now incoming college student pursuing arts management, Waby Liberia will be officially launched into the art industry through the exhibit.

Artists' Artworks

During the event, we were assisted by homeschoolers, from the registration up to the last activity. We were also welcomed with a coffee and delicious cake from Salva's Kitchen. I bet everyone loves the maja cake!

The program started with a Q&A with the artists. After the talks from the organizers, we were ushered to the next venue for a surprise art activity. 

We were given materials from Ogalala and designed a tote bag. Nice So was the artist assigned to our table and we were able to get to know more of her and her passion as an artist. I received a gift certificate from DARE by Dr. Jean Marquez, FPDS for winning the best-designed bag in our table, Yey!  

I'm so amazed to see these homeschooling students make a difference through this activity. Their desire to give hope is really inspiring. Kudos to the students, parents, teachers and the organizers of this project!

As a homeschooling Mom, I want my kids not just to appreciate art but for them to be able to use their talents to serve God and to serve others. As I exposed them in this kind of activity, my prayer is that they will be able to use their gifts wisely. 

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. ~ Romans 12:6-8 NIV

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stART Hope will greet the New Year with youthful expectations at the exhibit launch on January 7, 2017, at the Kanto Artist-Run Space, 2nd Floor, Makati Cinema Square, Makati. The program starts at 3PM. Featured artists, seasoned performers, homeschool talents and more will be part of the exhibition launch program.

The exhibit will run all the way until January 26, 2017, will be held. It is open to accepting artworks with the theme “hope” on a 16x16 mounted canvas from all homeschooling students in the Philippines.

Exhibition artworks are currently pre-selling through stART Hope’s online shop via facebook.com/stARTofHope. For partnerships, sponsorships and other inquiries, please email homeschoolph.starthope@gmail.com.